The Divine Tag-a-Long Changed Their Lives

As I was walking yesterday, basking in the freshness of the early morning, I said, “Open my eyes to see you, Lord.” I knew I was already seeing Him in the beauty of His creation, but I sensed a true desire to open my eyes to His presence – right now!

After I posted my blog that described my 6:15 am early morning walk on Friday, a friend cautioned me about walking alone in the darkness and recommended I get a stun gun or another protective device. I appreciated his concern and told him I live in a safe 55+ community. I asked if he knew the old hymn “In the Garden” that went like this: "I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear falling on my ears, the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there -- none other has ever known!" Oh, the sweet early morning encounters! I am so not alone.

That “open my eyes to His presence” made me recall the huge statute at Emmaus Church in Austin and the story of the two disciples journeying home to Emmaus after the death of Jesus. (Luke 24:13-35) They didn't believe the rumor that Jesus was alive and were in doubt and despair. Then, out of nowhere, the Divine Tag-a-Long, the Risen Jesus, began to walk with them. They didn’t recognize Him even when He shared many Old Testament stories. When it came time for dinner, they invited the stranger to join them. Jesus accepted and when He blessed and broke the bread, their eyes were opened and they saw that their guest was Jesus.

Suddenly those two disciples went from doubt and despair to faith in the Risen Lord. And, I think Jesus was walking with me yesterday, specifically to open my eyes to the truth of the matter. He is ALWAYS walking with me – with us. Especially when we are in doubt and despair and concern – right here, right now in the middle of these COVID-19 times to acknowledge we're not alone and to stand strong in faith in OUR Risen Savior. Yes, it feels like we’re walking through a strange land and are traveling down a road of wondering why this is happening – why so many people have died or are suffering from the pain of loss of a loved one or the loss of a job or the loss of a dream. "Why is God permitting things like this to happen?"

Just like the two disciples, we are sometimes caught up in our doubt and despair and we can't see Jesus as He travels with us. They couldn't see the Divine Tag-a-Long Who made their hearts burn as He shared scriptures with them. But, right in the very moments of their doubt and despair, Jesus was working on their hearts. He had a plan all along to reveal Himself to them. They would be two of the first disciples that He would prove He was alive and well. And so it is in our lives. God is at work in the details of our lives. He chooses our everyday doubts and despair to open our eyes to Jesus Who is with us.

The Risen Jesus wants to be invited to walk alongside us in every facet of our lives -- in the craziness of our kids running rampant, in the painful times of a loved one's passing or unable to be with our loved ones. He walks beside the frontliners. God is a good, good Father and any good that is happening during these times -- is from God HImself. He is walking with us and talking with us and telling us we are His own -- and He would never leave us or forsake us. May we allow Him to remind us that wherever we are and whatever we're going through, He is with us. Remember, just as His disciples recognized Him in the simple breaking of bread, His Holy Presence is with us in the simplicity of our every day lives. Lord, please open our eyes to You, today! You are here with us right here, right now!

Open my Eyes and Ears and Heart. Help me NOTICE.

A couple of Sundays ago, I was so caught up in conversation with a friend, that I barely NOTICED when a sweet young friend, handed me a page of artwork. I told her "Thank you so much" and hugged her, but not until I got in my car did I take the time to look at what she had given me. I NOTICED the amazing details and obvious quite time-consuming work of art, the colors, and.the words, "Donna, I <3 U". I was ashamed of myself and went back to find her to show my appreciation, but she wasn't there. I connected with her later, but it just wasn't the same as NOTICING right then and there when she gave it to me. I heard Andy Stanley talking about his latest book, “The Noticer.” In it he tells the true story of an old drifter who had a special gift for seeing what others miss. He says, “It only takes a little ‘perspective’ to recognize the miracles in our moments...." Oftentimes we are so consumed with our own needs, wants, pains, struggles, and desires, that we fail to be NOTICERS of others. Did you enjoy the chocolate left on your pillow at the hotel, but did you NOTICE the one who put it there? Did you enjoy your meal, but did you really NOTICE the waitress who brought it to you? Maybe it's time for us to NOTICE the UNNOTICED people around us. What’s the big deal about NOTICING? Noticing is being actively present “in the moment”. Our busy schedules AND minds often keep us distracted from the situations and moments at hand. When we take control of our minds and our thinking instead of our minds having a free-for-all, then we’ll recognize the gentle nudges of God to share, to care, to be a breath of fresh air to someone that needs it today. When we purposefully begin to NOTICE the pain and suffering of someone else, then God can work through us to bring fresh rain to their parched souls.

Jesus NOTICED that wee little man and tax collector, Zaccheaus, up in the tree, He told him to come down and he would go to his home for a meal. He did and He brought salvation to Zaccheaus and his family that day. I wonder when the last time was that someone said, “Zacchaeus, how’s your wife? I heard she was very ill”. Okay, the Bible doesn’t talk about his personal life, but there had to be more to him than just collecting taxes. Suffice it to say, he was probably despised because of his job, but Jesus saw the man behind the position. Jesus NOTICED. Jesus NOTICED the Samaritan woman at the well. His conversation with her led her to become one of His followers. He NOTICED.

NOTICING is paying attention, being present in the moment, looking at people and realizing that they need our care and love. Just maybe if we got in the habit of NOTICING those around us and rather than expecting them to NOTICE us, we could start the ripple effect in others. We NOTICE them, they NOTICE others, and others NOTICE many others. Maybe being a NOTICER is what God had in mind when He said, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself". We are ALWAYS on our mind -- maybe it's time to reverse that to NOTICING others and having THEM on our minds.